After blogging for everyday for nearly 100 days, I caved in to two non-blogging days. Including missing my Web Wednesday weekly feature.
Admittedly, I felt really disappointed. I thought I’d at least make it to 100 before I stop the daily blogging. Unfortunately, I’ve been confined to my bed/couch the last couple of days. ‘been having chills/on-off fevers/headaches/tummy aches and all sorts of other aches and pains. And, one sure sign that I’m really ill is that I am unable to face the computer. Everyone who knows me know that it takes A LOT to pry me off my laptop.
I’m feeling a bit better now, though still not 100%. In fact, I’ll be off to the docs later for a check-up - and might even need meds to help speed up the healing.
Anyway, although the break in daily blogging disappointed me, I also felt relief on the other hand. The pressure’s off to blog daily, since I’ve already missed my target. One lesson I’ve learned through this though, is that when it comes to blogging, it’s near to impossible to reach a daily blogging target when:
1) You’re writing a personal blog and ‘guest bloggers’ aren’t a good fit.
2) There’s a limited amount of time you can spend on future posts.
3) When ‘future posts’ aren’t always applicable.
After all, how can you allot for emergencies, extremely busy times, illnesses, blogger burnout, etc all the time? I mean, sure, when I knew I won’t be able to blog for a day or so, I managed to plan future posts on those days. Even on days when I didn’t feel like blogging due to exhaustion or being way too busy, I still managed to muster up enough energy to come up with a post. But, when I ended up ill and unable to get up from bed… Well, there was just no fighting that one.
Ah, well. Maybe one of these days, I’ll come up with a 100 Days Daily Blogging Challenge. But, the thought of it is too much for me at this stage. When I’m fully recovered, I might consider it again. For now, I’ll keep up with my two main projects here: the 52 Weeks of Blogging Community project + my Web Wednesday features as best as I can. And, yes, I will still try to blog often. But, I think I’ll try not to push myself too hard on the daily blogging. I might still try to blog daily, but will not agonise if I don’t. 
QUICK UPDATE: Had to update this, as writing of being sick, I just found out that my 2.5 year old nephew is about to go in to brain surgery in the next few hours. I’m really shocked and saddened by this. And, my heart goes out to my brother, his wife, their baby girl, and the rest of the family. If you can spare some time for prayers, will really appreciate it.
Anyway, Em Dy recently tagged me for the 123 Book Tag. Thought I’d better answer now before I forget…
123 Book Tag Rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.
Joy would have to help her.
Or perhaps Ted - he had to draft lots of reports for his job in the Department of Agriculture.
Next on the agenda was Trix’s column on an ordinary girl’s life.
OK, now that that’s done. I’m on to instruction #5. And yes, I always hate tagging other people because I don’t want folks to feel obligated by these things. Especially if I wasn’t particularly fond of the meme. Although I know it’s all done in good fun… and I really don’t mind getting tagged. But, I know some people don’t like it, that’s why I’m always in a dilemma at the end of these tags. 
Anyway, I’ll just consider this as an opportunity to link back to some of my frequent commenters. If you don’t want to do the tag, that’s just cool with me. If you do give it a go, let me know. Otherwise, just consider this a link love: Kari, Heather, Sushi, Nenette, and Jami.
Hope you’re all having a good week, everyone!
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Toni 04.03.08 at 2:51 pm
I hope you feel better, Shai.
Will definitely send out prayers to your nephew and your brother’s family.
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Nicola 04.03.08 at 3:04 pm
Glad to hear you’re feeling better. And glad to see you’re planning on keeping the 52WoC project going (Which reminds me…. must give out blog star award this week…). I’ll miss your daily posting, but sometimes it’s just not possible, you have to look after number one, your (less regular) posts will likely be all the better for it!
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jen 04.03.08 at 4:01 pm
Shai, you rest and get well. I too find it hard to plan for those days when I just can’t blog but I’m not an every day blogger anyway, more a 3-4 times a week.
I hope your nephew will be ok. Fingers crossed. You must all be beside yourself. It sounds full-on.
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Hsien Lei 04.03.08 at 6:59 pm
Hope you feel better soon, Shai! I stopped giving myself so much pressure to post a certain minimum every day when I got pregnant way back when (feels like I’ve been pregnant forever bah). I’m much more relaxed now and to my surprise, the quality of my posts have gone up thus leading to increased traffic. What’s most important it your mental and physical well-being. Blogging can really suck the life out of you!!
Best wishes to your nephew and family as well.
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Sasha 04.03.08 at 8:05 pm
Feel better
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Em Dy 04.03.08 at 10:35 pm
Thanks for doing the tag even if you’re sick and worried about your nephew. Hope you get better soon. The same goes to your nephew.
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Connie 04.03.08 at 11:58 pm
Get well soonest! I’ll be praying for your nephew.
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Kari 04.04.08 at 3:00 am
Oh dear! I am so sorry to learn about your nephew. I will be sure to say a prayer for him and the rest of the family! Sending positive thoughts your way!
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Nenette 04.04.08 at 7:59 am
My thoughts and prayers go to your nephew and his family. I hope all goes well. I hope you also feel better soon. ((Hugs))
ps - thanks for the tag… i’m working on it right now!
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Karen Cheng 04.04.08 at 3:20 pm
Hope you’re feeling better soon! Take care and relax babe!
xxx Karen
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Kay/Murfomurf 04.04.08 at 10:55 pm
Hope the illness is not lasting too long. Hopefully your nephew has something well-contained and they can deal with it neatly- kids that age are good on recovery if they have something uncomplicated. Just hope for the best and don’t think about anything bad happening- sometimes kids are born with a time bomb lurking in their heads or blood and it just runs its course. These days most kids recover from tumours and leukemia, unlike when I was a kid and my friends’ brothers and sisters seemed to pop off at regular intervals. I hope your kids don’t catch what you’ve had- there is something tummyish going around I heard on the news- Shigella- which apparently gets fixed with antibiotics. I haven’t heard anything else on the medical grapevine. Just blog when you’re inspired- I wouldn’t try to keep it up constantly. I only started to blog a short time ago, and I just StumbleUpon things and note my reactions- seems to inspire me, although not to great literary excursions! All the best! Seeya at the meet up in April.
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Junnie 04.05.08 at 11:07 am
Here are prayers for your quick recovery and of your nephew too.
And another prayer for good health and another round of 100 straight days of blogging.
More so HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAI!!! (tomorrow pa pala
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Heather 04.05.08 at 11:15 pm
Hi Shai,
Well, somethings gotta give when you’re a busy mum and you get sick. You aren’t supermum, although I’m sure you wish you were. I’ve admired your tenacity in sticking with the blogging. There’s been some excellent entries, too. But I’m glad you did keep up with the photos. Very cool. Anyway, I hope you’re feeling better soon. You need to get better in time for your birthday. I sure hope your nephew is doing well. Thanks for the tag. I’ll get to that maybe tomorrow.
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Shai Coggins 04.15.08 at 4:01 pm
Just realised I haven’t responded to comments here. So, I thought I’ll just send a blanket “Thank you” to everyone. I really appreciate your concern & comments. You all are wonderful!
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